Does the Lexus IS fail the MOT on steering more than it should?
The Lexus IS records 1.20 steering failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 3.99 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−2.79, 95% interval −2.86 to −2.71). It ranks 532 of 640 models on steering (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on steering · check a Lexus IS by registration
What exactly fails on steering?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Lexus IS is “Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated”, recorded 1,773 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated | 1,773 | 0.69 |
| Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 451 | 0.18 |
| A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play | 347 | 0.13 |
| Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning | 202 | 0.08 |
| Steering linkage retaining or locking device missing or ineffective | 52 | 0.02 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 257,202 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a Lexus IS gets a steering advisory, how often does it fail next time?
6.2% of Lexus IS MOTs with a steering advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.1 months and 5,288 miles later (1,003 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 1,003 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Lexus IS 1999 · Lexus IS 2000 · Lexus IS 2001 · Lexus IS 2002 · Lexus IS 2003 · Lexus IS 2004 · Lexus IS 2005 · Lexus IS 2006 · Lexus IS 2007 · Lexus IS 2008 · Lexus IS 2009 · Lexus IS 2010 · Lexus IS 2011 · Lexus IS 2012 · Lexus IS 2013 · Lexus IS 2014 · Lexus IS 2015 · Lexus IS 2016 · Lexus IS 2017 · Lexus IS 2018 · Lexus IS 2019 · Lexus IS 2020 · Lexus IS in Finland · Lexus IS by postcode area · Lexus IS body, chassis and structure failures · Lexus IS brakes failures · Lexus IS vehicle identification failures · Lexus IS lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Lexus IS noise, emissions and leaks failures · Lexus IS road wheels failures · Lexus IS seat belts and airbags failures · Lexus IS suspension failures · Lexus IS tyres failures · Lexus IS visibility failures